Drainage device or apparatus for steam-heated drying cylinders



y 7, 1957 A. E. ARMSTRONG 2,791,038

DRAINAGE DEVICE OR APPARATUS FR STEAM-HEATED DRYING CYLINDERS i FiledSept. '30, 1953 nited States atentO DRAINAGE DEVICE R APPARATUS FORSTEAM-HEATED DRYING CYLINDERS Adam E. Armstrong, Three Rivers, Mich,assignor to Armstrong Machine Works, Three Rivers, Mich.

Application September 30, 1953, Serial No. 383,153

12 Claims. (Cl. 34-125) This invention relates to improvements indrainage devices or apparatus for steam-heated drying cylinders.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a structure for draining or removing condensate fromsteam-heated drying cylinders or drums which is effective at variousspeeds of cylinder or drum rotation.

Second, to provide a structure for draining or removing condensate fromsteam drying cylinders including a siphon tube and a scoop associatedtherewith in a manner and of a capacity to result in the discharge ofwater during a substantial portion of the revolution of the cylinder.

Third, to provide a device of this type which is very simple instructure and operates effectively through a Wide range of operatingconditions.

Fourth, to provide a siphon type drainage device which is well adaptedfor embodiments in web drying cylinders or drums, for example, such asare employed in drying of webs of paper.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view partially broken away and partially insection on a line corresponding to line 1-1 of Fig. 2 of a dryingcylinder or drum embodying my invention with certain parts shownconventionally.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partially in transverse section on a linecorresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1, parts beng shown in one position byfull lines and in another position by dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of a slightly modified form or embodimentof my invention.

My invention relates to the type of apparatus or devices for removingcondensate from drying cylinders or drums which is generally designatedas the siphon type. However, the action or principle of my invention isnot purely a siphonic action although pressure differential does enterinto the functioning thereof.

. My present invention is in some respects an adaptation of andimprovement upon the device of the invention disclosed in the Armstrongand Thor Patent No. 2,297,094, issued September 29, 1942.

Drying drums or cylinders are operated at various surface speeds rangingfrom 200 f. p. m. to 1500 f. p. m. This variation in speed results ingreat variation in the placement or action of the condensate waterWithin the drum. With certain siphon types of devices in which thesiphon pipe is stationary relative to the rotation of the drum,condensate can be removed during the lower speed but when the surfacespeed of 600 f. p. in. per minute is reached the condensate removal isgreatly reduced owing to the water being carried upon the walls of thecylinder and a considerable amount of water must accumulate before thereis any in the bottom of the drum so that the siphon pipe can remove it.This cuts down the drying ice capacity of the cylinder or drum and alsothe horse power required to drive it is increased.

With revolving types of siphons very limited amounts of water can beremoved at loW speed because the intake of the siphon is submerged inthe Water collected at the bottom only a very limited portion of eachrevolution. This revolving type is eflicient within limits at speeds ator over 1000 f. p. m. where the water rims all the way around thecylinder but in that case efiiciency is cut down because of asubstantial layer of water being required before it can be picked up.The structure of the aforesaid patent overcomes some of these conditionsor objections but the present invention is a substantial improvementthereover in the matter of effective removal of condensate.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, 1 represents the drying cylinderor drum of a paper web drying ma chine or the like. It will beunderstood that these cylinders or drums vary considerably in structurebut the illustration shows the desired relation of the parts. The drumis rotatably supported and is driven by a belt 2 and provided with asteam inlet connection 3.

The siphon tube 4 comprises a horizontal portion 5 disposed axially ofthe drum and a portion 6 disposed radially thereof, these beingconnected by the coupling 7 which is a 1" type and carries the pipe orcounterbalancing rod 8 disposed in opposed relation to the radial intakeportion 6 and provided with a counterbalancing Weight 9.

The scoop designated generally by the numeral 10 is of substantial widthand faces in the direction of rotation of the cylinder, this beingclockwise as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The scoop comprises therearwardly tapered side walls 11 and a rearwardly inclined top wall 12,the rear edge 13 of which is disposed closely adjacent to the innersurface of the cylinder providing an elongated slit-like dischargeopening 14 or elongated head 15 of the siphon tube. This elongated headof the siphon tube constitutes a discharge chamber for the scoop anddesirably corresponds in length to the width of the scoop. The portionof the inner surface of the cylinder embraced by the walls 10 and 11constitutes the bottom or outer wall of the scoop, the term bottom beingused in a manner distinguished to the top wall 12.

The scoop is fixedly secured to the inner surface of the cylinder bymeans of brackets 16 and the rearwardly projecting flange 17 of the rearWall 18 of the chamber 15. The top wall 19 of the siphon tube head orscoop discharge chamber 15 has a coupling member 20 disposed centrallythereon and which telescopingly receives the intake portion 6 of thesiphon tube. A packing 21 is provided within the gland 22 which isthreaded upon the coupling member 20.

As the cylinder rotates, water is picked up by the scoop as indicated at23. With the cylinder rotating at relatively low speed considerablewater is carried by the scoop and discharged for approximately one-halfthe revolution of the cylinder. The scoop is of such capacity thatsubstantial amounts of Water may be picked up at each revolution and iseffectively discharged through the slitlike opening 14, that is, thesiphoning action may continue throughout the major portion of theupstroke of the scoop which greatly increases the capacity andefficiency of the apparatus. Highly desirable results are secured whenthe edge 13 of the top wall is spaced A of an inch from the innersurface of the cylinder.

in the modification shown in Fig. 3 a groove-like sump 24 is formed inthe cylinder Wall longitudinally of and below the rear edge of the topwall 12 of the scoop. The rear edge of the top wall, however, is sorelated .to the sump as to provide a restricted slit-like space 25 forthe discharge of the contents of the scoop into the siphon 3- tiibe heador scoop discharge chamber 15. With the sump practically all water orcondensate is removed al.- though the apparatus is practical without thesump.

,l have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practicalembodiment thereof. 1 have not attempted to illustratecertainrefinements or embodiments which I ,Qconteri'lplate as it 'isbelieved that those skilled Cinthe art will be able'to embody or adaptmy invention asrnay'be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new anddesire tosecured'by Letters Patent is:

'1. The combination with a rotatable drying cylinder provided with asteam supply connection, of a siphon tube irotatingwith the cylinder andcomprising a radially disjposed portion and an axially disposed portion,a scoop opening in the direction ofrotation of the cylinder and,disposed on the inner side of the cylinder with the inner surface ofthe cylinder constituting the bottom of the scoop, the scoophaving sidewalls and a rearwardly incliried top wall, the space between the rearend of said scoop top wall and theinner surface of the cylinder being ofthe order of of an inch, said scoop having a discharge chamber extendinglongitudinally thereof and de- {fined by a rear wall spaced from butadjacent to the rear edge of the scoop top wall, and a top wall spacedfrom andoverhanging the rear portion of the scoop top wall, a dischargenipple with which the radially disposed porition of said suction tubehas telescoping engagement dis posed centrally and radially of saiddischarge chamber top wall and a packing for said suction tube includinga gland threaded upon said nipple.

2. The combination with a rotatable drying cylinder provided with asteam supply connection, of a siphon tube rotating withthc cylinder andcomprising a radially disposed portion and an axially disposed portion,a scoop opening in'the direction of rotation of the cylinder anddisposed on the inner side of the cylinder with the inner surface of thecylinder constituting the bottom of the scoop, the scoop having sidewalls and a rearwardly inclined, top Wall, said scoop having a dischargechanr bcrextending longitudinally thereof and defined by a rear wallspaced from but adjacent to the rear edge of thescoop top wall, and atop wall spaced from and overhanging the rear portion of the scoop topwall, a discharge nipplewith which the radially disposed portion of saidsuction tube has telescoping engagement disposed centrally and radiallyof said discharge chamber top wall, and a packing 'for said suction tubeincluding a gland threaded upon said nipple.

'3. The combination with a rotatable drying cylinder providedwith asteam supply connection, of a siphon tube rotating with the cylinder, ascoop opening in the direction of rotation of the cylinder anddisposedon the inner side of the cylinder with the inner surface of the cylinderconstituting the'bottom of the scoop, the scoop having side walls and arearwardly inclined topwall, the space between the rear edge of saidscoop top wall and the inner surface of the cylinder being of the orderof of an inch, said scoop having a dischargefchamber extendinglongitudinally thereof and to which said siphon tube is connected anddefined by a rear wall spaced from but adjacent to the rear edge of thescoop top wall, and a top wall spaced from and overhanging the rearportion of the scoop top wall.

4. The combination with a rotatable drying cylinder provided with asteam supply connection, of a siphon tube rotating with the cylinder, ascoop opening in the directionof rotation of the cylinder and disposedon the inner side of the cylinder with the inner surface of thecylinder,

, rear edge of the scoop top wall, and a top wall spaced from andoverhanging the rear portion of the scoop top wall.

5. The combination with a rotatable drying cylinder provided with asteam supply connection, of a siphon tube rotating with the cylinder, ascoop opening in the direction of rotation of the cylinder and disposedon the inner side of the cylinder with the inner surface of the cylinderconstituting the bottom of the scoop, the scoop having side walls and ,arearwardly inclined top wall, said scoop having a discharge chamberextending longitudinally thereof and to which said siphon tube isconnected and defined by a rear wall spaced from but adjacent to therear edge of the scoop top wall, and a top wall spaced from andoverhanging the rear portion of the scoop top wall, the cylinder wallhaving a longitudinally extending groove like sump aligned with the rearedge of said top wall.

6. The combination with a rotatable drying drum having a steamsupplyconnection, of a siphon tube having a radially disposed intakeportion, a scoop facing in the direction of rotation of the drum torotate therewith, the inner side of the drum constituting the bottom ofthe scoop, the scoop having a rearwardly and outwardly inclined top wallterminating closely adjacent to the inner surface of the drum, the drumhaving a longitudinally extending groove-like sump aligned with and intowhich the rear edge of the said scoop top wall extends, and an elongatedchambered siphon tube head member to which said scoop delivers.

7. Thecombination with a rotatable drying drum hav ing a steam supplyconnection, of a siphon tube, a scoop facing in the direction ofrotation of the cylinder and to rotate therewith and having a rearwardlyand outwardly inclined top wall terminating closelyadjacent to the innersurface of the drum, the drum having a longitudinally extendinggroove-like sump aligned with and into which the rear edge of the saidscoop top -wall extends, and an elongated 'head for said siphon tube towhich said scoop delivers.

8. The combination with a rotatable drying drum having a steam supplyconnection, the inner surface of the drum being cylindrical andwithoutobstructions affecting the gravitational and centrifugaldistribution of condensate from end to end thereof of a siphon tube, ascoop facing in the direction of rotation of the cylinder and rotatingtherewith, the inner Side of the drum constituting the bottom of thescoop, the scoop having a rear wardly and outwardly inclined top Wall.disposed with its rear edge closely adjacent to the inner surface ofthe drum providing an elongated slot like scoop discharge Opening, andan elongated chambered head member for said siphon tube to which saidscoop discharges through said slot-like opening, the capacity of thescoop being substantially greater thanthat ofsaid discharge opening sothat condensate picked up by-the scoop may discharge through its saiddischarge openingfor a substantial portion of a revolution of thecylinder on the upsweep movement of the scoop.

9. The combination with a rotatable drying drum having a steam supplyconnection, the inner surface of the drum being cylindrical and withoutobstructions atfecting the gravitational and centrifugal distribution ofcondensate from end to end thereofiof a siphon tube having a radiallydisposed intake portion, a scoop opening in the direction of therotation'of the drum and rotating there with, the inner side of the,drum constituting .the bottom of the scoop,,,the scoop comprisingparallel sidewalls, and a rearwardly and outwardly inclined top wallterminating adjacent to the 'inner surface of the drum andcoacting-therewith to provide aslitdike discharge opening of the orderof 1 of an inch, said scoop having an ated chambe ed discharge aheadcorrespo d ng in length and into which s id sli -lik op ning dischamsaid siphon tube being connected centrally to said discharge head.

10. The combination with a rotatable drying drum having a steam supplyconnection, the inner surface of the drum being cylindrical and withoutobstructions affecting the gravitational and centrifugal distribution ofcondensate from end to end thereof, of a siphon tube having a radiallydisposed intake portion, a scoop opening in the direction of therotation of the drum and rotating therewith, the inner side of the drumconstituting the bottom of the scoop, the scoop comprising parallel sidewalls, and a rearwaro'ly and outwardly inclined top wall terminatingadjacent to the inner surface of the drum and coacting therewith toprovide a slit-like discharge opening, said scoop having an elongatedchambered discharge head corresponding in length and into which saidslitlike opening discharges, said siphon tube being connected centrallyto said discharge head.

11. The combination with a rotatable drying drum having a steam supplyconnection, the inner surface of the drum being cylindrical and Withoutobstructions affecting the gravitational and centrifugal distribution ofcondensate from end to end thereof, of a siphon tube, a scoop opening inthe direction of the rotation of the drum and rotating therewith, theinner side of the drum constituting the bottom of the scoop, the scoopcomprising side walls, and a rearwardly and outwardly inclined top wallterminating adjacent to the inner surface of the drum and coactingtherewith to provide a slit-like discharge opening of the order of V ofan inch, said scoop having an elongated chambered head to which saidsiphon tube is connected and into which said slit-like openingdischarges.

12. The combination with a rotatable drying drum having a steam supplyconnection, the inner surface of the drum being cylindrical and withoutobstructions affecting the gravitational and centrifugal distribution ofcondensate from end to end thereof, of a siphon tube, a scoop opening inthe direction of the rotation of the drum and rotating therewith, theinner side of the drum constituting the bottom of the scoop, the scoopcomprising side walls, and a rearwardly and outwardly inclined top wallterminating adjacent to the inner surface of the drum and coactingtherewith to provide a slit-like discharge opening, said scoop having anelongated chambered head to which said siphon tube is connected and intowhich said slit-like opening discharges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,483,343 Gladin Feb. 12, 1924 2,297,094 Armstrong et al. Sept. 29, 19422,420,824 Hornbostel et al. May 20, 1947 2,521,371 Hornbostel et al.Sept. 5, 1950 2,677,898 Ohlson et al. May 11, 1954

